COME OUT YE BLACK & TANS.

The article examines the complex legacy of the Royal Irish Constabulary (RIC) and the Dublin Metropolitan Police (DMP) during the Anglo-Irish War, focusing on the roles of the 'Black and Tans' and the Auxiliary Division of the RIC (ADRIC). It highlights how these forces, often perceived as brutal enforcers of British rule, were composed largely of Irish personnel and shaped by the socio-political context of the time. The article discusses the recruitment of ex-soldiers into these police forces, the violence they faced from the Irish Republican Army (IRA), and the controversial actions taken by the 'Tans' and Auxiliaries, including reprisals that led to significant civilian suffering. It also addresses the historical narrative surrounding these groups, suggesting that their portrayal has been influenced by the political dynamics of post-independence Ireland. [Extracted from the article]